'Egypt must improve in the next games': Captain Hegazi

Egypt veteran defender Ahmed Hegazi showed his disappointment despite their qualification for the round of 16 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Mahmoud Elassal , Tuesday 23 Jan 2024,

Cape Verde s Steven Moreira, right challenges for the ball with Egypt s Ahmed Hegazi during the African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match between Cape Verde and Egypt at the Felix Houphouet Boigny stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. AP

"We are disheartened by our results in the group stage. The players are remorseful for the outcomes, and we need to improve in the upcoming games," Hegazi, who wears the armband after the injury of Mohamed Salah, said after the game.

Egypt advances for the Round 16 after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Cape Verde on Monday to accumulate three draws in the groupstage.

The Pharaohs began their campaign with a frustrating draw 2-2 draw against Mozambique in the opening match then were held by Ghana with the same result and concluded their campaign with Cape Verde's draw.

"We have sufficient time to prepare for the last 16 round and we will start immediately. We have a lot of work to do," Hegazi emphasized.

"We encountered challenging times, but we managed to overcome them and secure qualification for the last 16 round.

"It doesn't matter how we started the tournament; what matters is finishing strong," the Egyptian captain said.

Egypt will face the runners-up of Group F in the last 16 round on Sunday.

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